'We Are Grateful For US Support': Zelenskyy Tries To Salvage Ties With US After White House Spat | Watch

Last Updated:March 03, 2025, 10:01 IST

European countries promised support to Ukraine after Zelenskyy's ugly exchange with Donald Trump and JD Vance in the White House. The UK has unveiled a 1.6 billion pound deal for defence missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the European leaders' summit to discuss European security in London. (Volodymyr Zelenskyy/X)

Hours after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new 1.6 billion pound ($2 billion) deal which would allow Ukraine to purchase 5,000 air-defence missiles using export finance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a special note of appreciation, with a special emphasis on the United States.

Starmer, who greeted Zelenskyy with a big red-carpet welcome after an ugly exchange with US President Donald Trump on Friday, hosted a significant summit of 18 European leaders in London to find a way forward to aid Ukraine against Russia’s military offensive.

Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have said they are prepared to deploy British and French troops to Ukraine. The UK PM said Britain, France and Ukraine have agreed to work on a ceasefire plan to present to the United States.

ALSO READ | Trump, Zelenskyy Can Be Trusted Despite ‘Uncomfortable’ Exchange, But Not Putin: UK’s Starmer

‘We Are Grateful For US Support’: Zelenskyy

After the high-profile meeting on the future of Ukraine’s future, Zelenskyy posted on X, “As a result of these days, we see clear support from Europe. Even more unity, even more willingness to cooperate. Everyone is united on the main issue – for peace to be real, we need real security guarantees."

Zelenskyy justified the need for peace and security guarantees to prevent another invasion, and stressed that Ukraine was grateful to US. “Of course, we understand the importance of America, and we are grateful for all the support we’ve received from the United States. There has not been a day when we haven’t felt gratitude. It’s gratitude for the preservation of our independence – our resilience in Ukraine is based on what our partners are doing for us – and for their own security," he said.

This came after an unprecedented meeting with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance, the latter accusing Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful". Donald Trump dressed down Zelenskyy and said that the latter is “gambling with World War Three".

Referring to his predecessor Joe Biden, Trump then said that the US had given Ukraine $350 billion and military equipment through a “stupid president", adding that without the US military support, the war would have ended in two weeks and that Ukraine was in big trouble.

ALSO READ: JD Vance Booed By Pro-Ukraine Protesters During Vacation In Vermont Over Oval Office Showdown | Watch

Addressing a media briefing after the summit, Zelenskyy refused to walk back his stance and said Ukraine’s relations with the US will continue. “This is more than relations during a certain moment. We must be open," he said, adding that he will come back to America if he is invited for “constructive dialogue".

European Support For Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelensky, Romania’s Interim President Ilie Bolojan, European Council President Antonio Costa and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were part of the summit aimed at boosting European security and supporting Ukraine.

“I hope you know that we are all with you and the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes, everyone around this table," Starmer said in opening remarks at the Sunday summit, calling it a “once-in-a-generation moment for the security of Europe".

With fears growing over whether the United States will continue to support NATO, the meeting also addressed the need for Europe to increase defence cooperation. Zelenskyy also held a meeting with Italy PM Georgia Meloni and said that it is important to maintain unity around Ukraine and strengthen our country’s position in cooperation with the allies.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, meanwhile, announced new sanctions against key Kremlin allies – paramilitary organisations, their leaders, and others – who were allegedly complicit in helping Russia wage war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the White House and Trump’s allies have stood by the US President, criticising the Ukrainian President and calling on him to resign. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, a strong Trump ally, said European leaders chose to “go on with the war instead of opting for peace" – describing it as “bad, dangerous and mistaken".

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

News world 'We Are Grateful For US Support': Zelenskyy Tries To Salvage Ties With US After White House Spat | Watch